What's going on behind the scenes

In my short time at Sierra Club Canada, I've noticed and been a part of a number of changes here.  On a personal note, I went from being an intern to Campaign Coordinator.  Where before I found myself in largely a learning role, I now handle some more responsibility (though I still have a lot to learn) and am actively involved in a couple of different campaigns - namely waste diversion and water.

From the time I started in September until December, the focus was on transitioning toward being a more responsive, more modern organization.  This meant not just a new website, but also a new approach to how we engage with you and Canadian society more generally.

To that end, I'd like to quickly emphasize a couple of ways in which we are moving forward. 

First, we really do want your input.  One way we are doing this is through our social media sites.  Over my time here, our Facebook group has grown by close to 300 members, our Twitter account has grown by over 600 members, our Youtube page now has close to 450 friends, and we just started a Flickr page. 

While it's important to not read too much into these numbers on their own, it is worth noting and it is a sign that we are becoming more open and engaging.

Second, we are well on our way to becoming a more sophisticated organization.  Our goal is to speak not only to Canadian society or to the politicians and bureaucrats, but to you as individuals.  We have recently witnessed the power of doing this as evidenced by the anti-prorogation rallies where individuals were mobilized in a matter of days.  Our very own Executive Director, John Bennett spoke at the rally in Ottawa in front of 3,500 Canadians.

We will continue to fight for the protection of our environment on a political level, but we also want to develop a community.

This will take some time and we do need your help.  I would ask you to take a look at our social media sites.  Join them, make suggestions and add comments.  Take a look at our volunteer opportunities on our website.  If you can, support us financially so that we can move forward on some of these issues and continue to grow and do all the things that we want to do.

It's a new year, a new decade even, and hopefully a new and improved Sierra Club Canada.

Cheers